A federal grand jury is investigating whether former pitcher Roger Clemens lied under oath to Congress last year when he denied taking performance-enhancing drugs, according to two sources familiar with the investigation.

The sources said the grand jury was convened several months ago in response to a referral in February by Congress asking the Justice Department to investigate Clemens's sworn statements in a deposition and his testimony during a hearing Feb. 13.

However, the grand jury probe was described by the sources as a routine part of such an investigation and that no indictment or other public action was imminent.

call me crazy, but i have trouble believing anyone who has his lawyer leaning over every other minute coaxing him what to say. what did our moms used to tell us? something like: "son, if you don't have anything to hide or lie about, you can look me in the eyes and tell me." i know, i know. it's all of the legal mumbo jumbo that someone on the witness stand has to worry about or whatever, but i don't buy it.

I thought grand juries simply decided if there is enough evidence to hand down indictments. When did they begin investigations?

Click to expand...

It's DOJ lawyers and the FBI doing the investigating and presenting it to the grand jury for consideration.

There have been examples of what's called "runaway grand juries," where GJ members ask to hear witnesses and take the case wherever they want to. I know of it happening in state systems, I don't know if the feds have different rules than can prevent it.